Tag: Removal

Does it ever seem like pigeon flocks are out of control? Understanding the behavior of these birds and some of the history is helpful in understanding why they are such a nuisance sometimes.

Pigeons came to the United States and therefore Colorado as a domestic animal. All pigeons in Colorado today are descendants of captive birds and therefore feral.

Pigeons have a strong homing instinct and will generally return to their nest to mate. Return flights of over 1000 miles have been documented in Feral Rock Pigeons. In addition, pigeons can average 50 miles per hour in moderate distance flights and have been recorded at 90 miles per hour in short bursts.

Pigeons can reproduce any time of year if their food source is abundant. Pigeons lay one or two eggs at a time, most often two. and have a strong success rate raising their young. In cases where food is present all year long, a pair of pigeons can mate and nest six times in a year. This, combined with their homing instinct is why it is not uncommon to see flocks of hundreds of birds in settings where food is plentiful year-round.

Pigeon control has to take this and other factors in consideration. Pigeon waste is usually as much a problem as the birds themselves. Pigeon droppings are associated with three human diseases, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. The problems don’t end there, pigeon droppings can deface buildings, in some cases causing irreparable damage to historic buildings.

Further reading on this subject can be found at http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/birddamage/birddamage.htm

IPM provides free estimates and is happy to answer questions about bird exclusion, removal, control and behavior. Remember, these problems get worse, never better, if left untreated for any extensive period of time.

The state of Colorado has no shortage of pigeons, and that problem is only going to worsen in the future. Recently, many national companies have discontinued their monthly pigeon programs in Colorado, sending letters to existing customers advising them of the change. This change comes as the result of the way they treated for pigeons and the material they used. This product recently underwent a change to the product label. Pest control operators are held to the label of the products they use, and the change made the current application method for national companies illegal going forward. Fortunately for IPM and its customers, we have an integrated approach and a common-sense, multi-faceted monthly program for pigeons that allows us to serve our customers without skating close to the limit of the law. We recognize that health care, hospitality, food service, retail and office buildings cannot afford these pests nor the cosmetic degradation they bring. We also realize the responsibility we have to the environment, the surrounding areas and the animals themselves to create solutions that restore balance and minimize the footprint we leave. So, as the mega-companies shed their pigeon business, perhaps you’ll consider calling IPM for a free estimate. If a monthly, proactive service is in everyone’s best interest, we’ll be happy to be your new pest control company.